Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 19: The great freedom fighter and tribal icon Bhagwan Birsa Munda revered by the Chota Nagpuri Ranchi Community of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Bhagwan Birsa Munda is one the most famous personalities among the tribal freedom fighters who have sacrificed their life for this motherland. Birsa Munda has an important contribution in motivating the tribal community of Chotanagpur region for their independence and preparing them for an armed revolution known as “Ulgulan” against the British Rule. Bhagwan Birsa Munda is also a known youth role model who has organized the entire forest dwelling society at the age of just 25 years and prepared them to fight against atrocities and religious conversion of the British Rule and Foreign Missionaries.
By seeing his immense contribution and to honor the struggle of tribal heros in India’s freedom struggle, Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India has announced his birth anniversary on 15th November as “Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas”. The 150th year of his birth anniversary is starting from this year which will be celebrated till November 15, 2025, thus Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram has decided to celebrate this occasion in a grand manner.
To commemorate his 150th Birth Anniversary Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Sri Vijayapuram (Port Blair) had decided to install a grand statue in its campus for which a “Gaurav Yatra” from Lamiya Bay, Digilipur has started on 05th November, 2024 and concluded at Sri Vijaya Puram on 12th November, 2024 by carrying the statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. During this Gaurav Yatra especially the Chotanagpuri Ranchi Community and general public welcomed this in a traditional manner. The Gaurav Yatra stopped at various 72 prominent points where Holy soil from the various Villages, Temples and Sarna Sthals were submitted in 101 Nos. Small Clay Pots for raising the foundation for installing the statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. After the culmination of the Gaurav Yatra the statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda was installed with tribal rituals & traditions at Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Sri Vijaya Puram on 15th November, 2024.
The statue unveiling ceremony was also organised on 15th November, 2024 where the Guests of the Programme were welcomed with dance and traditional drum beats of Munda Tribes. In the ceremonial function Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Pujya Swami Shuddhanand Saraswati , Chinmaya Mission, Mr. Anil Goel, Karan Trading (India) Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Maharang Oraon, Akhil Bharatiya Sah Shraddha Jagaran Pramukh were present as Chief Guest, Benedictory Address, Special Guest and Main Speaker respectively and all the dignitaries and office bearers of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram were unveiled the statue of “Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda” afterwards Pujas were performed by the Pahans (tribal priests). The Programme was welcomed by Mr. Rajesh Kumar Puria, President, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, ANI and Sushri. Sampati Xalxo, General Secretary briefed about the activities carried over by Vanvasi Kalyan Ahsram for the all round development of Vanvasi Community. In this event 15 social workers associated with Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram across Andaman & Nicobar were felicitated for working for the organisation and well fare of Chota Nagpuri Ranchi Community.
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands addressed the gathering and spoke that Chota Nagpuri Ranchi Community is a hardworking community of these Islands and they will be soon considered in OBC category among those community who were left out. Swami Shuddhanand Saraswati in his benedictory address said that Bhagwan Birsa Munda is icon for youth and ever inspirational figure for Vanvasi Community. The main speaker Mr. Maharang Oraon, Akhil Bharatiya Sah Shraddha Jagaran Pramukh has stressed upon and urged the gathering to keep their culture and language alive by keeping tribal folk songs and dance. In his speech he conveyed his happiness that Chota Nagpuri Community is still intact with their faith and culture.
The Programme was filled with cultural performances by various villages and the descendants of Munda Community were presented with tribal Mundari dance. At the last Mrs. Kamla Majhi has proposed a vote of thanks and the programme was concluded with a joint dance performance of Adivasi dance by various villages of Sri Vijaya Puram.
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